New Conservatory Theatre

The New Conservatory Theatre’s YouthAware Educational Theatre program was designed to increase young people’s sensitivity and tolerance toward those who may be different from them—addressing issues of homophobia, self-esteem, discrimination, peer pressure, youth violence, and identity. Through post-performance surveys, performance observation, post-performance correspondence, and summary performance attendance data, this evaluation focused on the immediate impact that the performance had on its young viewers. The central questions revolved around how audience members interpret the play’s messages. Do they relate to any of the characters in the play? Have they experienced or observed similar situations as those depicted in the play? And finally, has seeing this play in any way influenced their tolerance levels toward LGBTQ community members?